Lebron has to be by far the most scrutinized player in NBA history. He hasn't lost the ability to attack the rim in a span of 8 or 9 months. But let's just say that for the sake of argument he has lost the ability to attack the paint. He's shooting the 2nd highest fg% of his career. Then the only conclusion would be that he's settling for more jumpers and his jumper has improved drastically.

He's also on pace to have less FGAs this season than in any season going all the way back to his rookie year. He had far more shot attempts last year, far more 3-point attempts last year and he shot a higher overall FG%.

He also is averaging significantly less assists per game and has significantly more turnovers per game.

The common thought when this team was formed six months ago was that, while his points per game would probably take a hit, he would see a surge in assists, FG%, overall efficiency and a drop in turnovers.

Pretty much the exact opposite has happened. At least part of the problem, from what I can tell, is diminished explosiveness. He used to be able to get to the basket pretty much whenever he wanted against whomever he wanted.

He doesn't seem to have that ability anymore. His attempt to push the issue and to try and get to the cup the way he used to has resulted in a shooting up of his turnovers per game.

Then again, it also didn't hurt that he was surrounded with great spot-up shooters in Cleveland and he doesn't have that kind of spacing or deep threats in Miami to open up lanes.

Lebron has stepped into the mental zone where you overthink your drives and natural instincts and become paralyzed in indecision. Well that and...

The refs have been exceedingly involved in game control. That's why so many people on ish have been calling it a weird year. A paranoid person told me its mind control so the players go passively into collective bargaining agreement... I no longer think he's paranoid.

Been saying it all season. He's only about 75-80% the athlete he once used to be. Thing is, he got off to a ridiculously slow last year too, but returned to his normal self from January onwards. No such thing this year.

Of course, part of the reason is just the type of team he's on. He can't just attack from the top of the key whenever he feels like it anymore. He plays with two other stars who need their space too. Thus the decrease in paint attempts.

He's also on pace to have less FGAs this season than in any season going all the way back to his rookie year. He had far more shot attempts last year, far more 3-point attempts last year and he shot a higher overall FG%.

He also is averaging significantly less assists per game and has significantly more turnovers per game.

The common thought when this team was formed six months ago that, while his points per game would probably take a hit, he would see a surge in assists, FG%, overall efficiency and a drop in turnovers.

Pretty much the exact opposite has happened. At least part of the problem, from what I can tell, is diminished explosiveness. He used to be able to get to the basket pretty much whenever he wanted against whomever he wanted.

He doesn't seem to have that ability anymore. His attempt to push the issue and to attempt to get to the cup the way he used to has resulted in a shooting up of his turnovers per game.

Then again, it also didn't hurt that he was surrounded with great spot-up shooters in Cleveland and he doesn't have that kind of spacing or deep threats in Miami to open up lanes.

The increased TOs were mostly a result of not being familiar with his team, he averaged 4.2 TOs in October/November and has averaged 3.2 TOs from December on which is in line with his career norms (and 51% FG). The diminished explosiveness has affected his ability to get to the rim more than anything, he's only averaging 5.6 attempts at the rim and only finishing 70.8% of them, both lows since 2007.

His midrange game has been better this year though, 42% from 16-23 and 44% from 10-15 are very good numbers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian guy

Been saying it all season. He's only about 75-80% the athlete he once used to be. Thing is, he got off to a ridiculously slow last year too, but returned to his normal self from January onwards. No such thing this year.

Yeah, what's odd is that he has had a few games this year where he looked like his old self athletically but he hasn't been able to sustain it.

Yeah, what's odd is that he has had a few games this year where he looked like his old self athletically but he hasn't been able to sustain it.

He's 26 so it isn't realistic to expect him to return to his 07-09 self, but I do think he can regain some of his old explosiveness if he shed 5-10 pounds. He's noticeably bigger this season compared to what he was even 2 years ago.

It's so easy to see, it's because he has been playing hardcore defense this season. Best defensive effort of his career this season. It tires you out.

The only player in history that didn't get tired on offense from beasting on defense is MJ.

I wouldn't say that he is giving any more defensive effort this year than he did in either 2009 or 2010 in Cleveland. Those Cavs teams were arguably the best defensive teams in the league during the regular seasons and he was a big reason why. He has been playing defense at a very high level for a few years now.

Lebrons lost some of his athleticism and it actually started at the start of last year it was just harder to see because all the shooters spread the floor for Lebron to attack more in Cleveland. Lebron could gain some of his athleticism back if he lost some weight but people got to remember Lebron barley misses games and averages 40 minutes a game through his career his legs are probably wearing down.

Been saying it all season. He's only about 75-80% the athlete he once used to be. Thing is, he got off to a ridiculously slow last year too, but returned to his normal self from January onwards. No such thing this year.

Of course, part of the reason is just the type of team he's on. He can't just attack from the top of the key whenever he feels like it anymore. He plays with two other stars who need their space too. Thus the decrease in paint attempts.

He's still in his mid-20s, so I really don't buy that he's lost his athleticism all of the sudden. He doesn't have any injuries in his career that would affect his vertical leap either (knee injuries ... nope, back injuries ... nope).

I think the guy who mentioned it above got it right -- he's expending more energy on defence this year.

He doesn't drive as much as he used. Also, he can't finish as much as he used to either. He sucks (in comparison to last season) at close range, which is amazing to me.

Also! Did you know that LeBron is shooting better than Kobe at the 16-23 foot of midrange now? LeBron is 42% while Kobe is 38% according to hoopdata. Kobe is shooting much better at the 10-15 range, Kobe is shooting better with 50% range. And Kobe is shooting better at the close range with 3-9 feet. This is sooooo bizzare. It's usually the opposite around! What happened to LeBron in the close range?

He doesn't drive as much as he used. Also, he can't finish as much as he used to either. He sucks (in comparison to last season) at close range, which is amazing to me.

Also! Did you know that LeBron is shooting better than Kobe at the 16-23 foot of midrange now? LeBron is 42% while Kobe is 38% according to hoopdata. Kobe is shooting much better at the 10-15 range, Kobe is shooting better with 50% range. And Kobe is shooting better at the close range with 3-9 feet. This is sooooo bizzare. It's usually the opposite around! What happened to LeBron in the close range?

He simply is missing some makable shots as far as I can tell.

You usually miss makable shots when you're over thinking things and that's probably what's happening.

I wouldn't say that he is giving any more defensive effort this year than he did in either 2009 or 2010 in Cleveland. Those Cavs teams were arguably the best defensive teams in the league during the regular seasons and he was a big reason why. He has been playing defense at a very high level for a few years now.

Yeah but his man defense is so much better now. Before, he was getting attention for his D b/c of the chasedown blocks and disrupting the other teams offense. He has really been in players' faces this year.